hey guys-
i am looking into replacing the stock headlight blubs in my 93 runner for some that give the really white but kind of bluish light (ha, scientific huh?) what kind of bulb do i need to get this look, and where could i pick a pair up?

 

Based on what I have seen in these forums, the PIAA bulbs seem to be the people's choice. I have not installed them yet myself, but plan on using them when I do. I think that you can get them from many sites, and www.optauto.com is a good place with good prices.

 

thanks for the site, but, what kind of bulb would i need..(H1,H3, H3C, 9004...etc..)

 

It's been a while since I replaced mine, but i think it was a 9004.

 

Even though all the "blue" looking bulbs including PIAA and all the rest look "cool". They are actually dimmer on the road. If you look directly at the lights, they appear to be brighter. But the coating applied to these type will be dimmer on the road. Before I upgraded to (real) HID lights, I increased the brightness with higher wattage bulbs and. I went with Hella 100/80 H4s. These were brighter than any "blue" bulbs on the road and alot cheaper (I have tried several different bulbs including the PIAA Superwhites). Also, don't be fooled by high Kelvin rated bulbs. Kelvin rating is merely the color output of the bulb. The higher the Kelvin, the bluer/purple it will look. But, you will lose brightness. Lumens is the brightness. The most optimal bulb is around 4100k 3200 lumens. That is what an OEM HID light is.

 

What kind of HID kit did you put in? The only ones that I have seen so far will make you lose your high beams. Also, did you install the kit yourself?

 

Hello doink,
I had most of my bulbs replaced using this guide ....hope it helps.
FYI, I bought the tail light replacement bulbs, fog lights and signal bulbs at optauto.com (they were definitely cheaper and arrived in 3 days after I ordered them online).

 

I was using a Hella Bi-xenon 4800 H4 HID kit. This gave me both high and low beams in one bulb. I have since changed my set up. Im currently installing an OEM Philips 4100k H4 single beam in the headlight capsule and a 4100k Philips H7 in my Hella driving lights wired to my high beams. I also installed a set of Hella 130 watt H3 bulbs in my factory fog light housing versus the stock 55 watt(you can't fit HID H3 bulbs in the factory fog light housing-no room). The HID kits are very easy to install and blow any "Superwhite" or blue bulbs away. You can buy single beam H4s for around $350 and Bi-xenons for around $500-$600.

 

Hey Doink:

I will have to agree w/ pfdaxe. From a non-scientific users point of view, my PIAA Hyperwhites aren't as bright in the night time. Where they really stink is in foggy, rainy night time conditions. I mean they really suck!

During the 2 weeks when I had both the 99 and my current 98, I drove them both and I realized how true this was. The stock headlight bulbs were so much better in the night time.

Bob

 

I've had three different brands on my different cars, so I'll share my experiences. The zenon lights that you see advertised on ebay alot are not very bright at all. Honestly I could barely tell they were on at first. This is only because I had PIAA's on another car. The super bright PIAA's were good. I had head lamps and fogs at the time.(both PIAA super white) They were alot brighter but they had alot more watts. They are a little expensive too, if you ask me. (for replacement bulbs) I just installed some Sylvania Silver Star bulbs in my 2nd gen, and although they aren't that much brighter they are definitely whiter. Plus they were $40 bucks for the pair. They rate them at 4000k, but the watts are the same as factory. So they aren't a great deal brighter, but some. Bascically, I'm happy with them as far as price is concerned. They are still night and day compare to my HIDS in my TL. Also if you decide to convert to HID don't worry about high beams...you don't even need them with true HIDs. Just my .02 cents.

 

JSB--- how the heck did you get to your flippin lights on your 2nd gen. i have been trying and , maybe im just technically inclined, but, i cant do it:mad:

 

Oh it was easy...I replaced them in like 15 minutes. Here's what you do.

For the Driver side get a 11mm socket I think, and unscrew the radiator over flow (right there on top). You dont even have to unplug it from the radiator. Just left it out and move it over. Then unscrew the the two hex bolts holding the air box tunnel thing all. One is right on top ther and the other is on the side of the fender well. You don't have to pull it out either just bend it back a little and your hand should fit down inside. Pull the plug, then twist the actual bulb and bingo. Twist the new bulb on and plug it back in.

The Passenger side is real similar. Unscrew the windshield washer tank set it on top of the battery. Squeeze your hand down there and do the same with the other bulb. I think the washer fluid tank takes a bigger socket. That's it.

What's funny, is when I don't know how to get to something like that, I just start unbolting stuff. Here soon I'm going to investigate my little oil leak. I think it might be the main seal. Watch out. Stuff will be coming apart. I've never replaced one before, but how hard can it be.

Good Luck!

 

I have the Philips Blue Vision bulbs in my headlamps and fogs and they all but disappear in the rain and on wet roads. It really sucks!! You can't see anything. I played with the idea of a retrofit HID kit for months (SPW, K2, etc) but decided that they are dangerous and I am not going to go that route. The Bellof HID retrofit kit is by far the best and the safest, but it is also the most expensive. It is about $1000 for the H4 kit. I cannot justify spending $1000 for headlights. It's just not worth it. Thats why I am going the route that I am gonna go. I am going to try the new Raybrig White Sonic bulbs (http://store.yahoo.com/racinglab/raywhitsonh4.html) in my headlamps and fogs and also add some Piaa 1000X driving lights. If I am not satisfied with the Raybrig's I am gonna send them back and just put the stock bulbs back in. Hope this helps. Later.

Matt

 

I believe I may have to replace my bulbs soon, and from what I am hearing, I am going to go with those Sylvania ones. My bro bought some of them for his Tercel and they look/are pretty cool and the best thing is that they don't cost too much. I will have to see when the time comes, but thanks for the info thus far! :fireman:

 

well guys, just got done with the installation of the new bulbs. thanks to instruction from JSB, all went smoothly. i went with the sylvania silverstar high performance halogen seen here the result is so far, what i expected. the light has a white tone and not a bluish one and , to me, seem to be a bit brighter than stock. i guess i will have to see what happens when it rains/foggy/etc...but so far...so good

 

what do you guys thin of the 6000k K2 HID kit? I like a bit of a purple tint to it, like an Audi. I just bought the new headlight assemblies, and they are on there way. Hey Matt, what do you mean about some HIDs being dangerous?

 

I'd stay away from K2. They are an inferior Korean kit that has had problems with either bulbs or ballasts failing. Stick with OEM like Philips, Hella, Osram(German OEM) or Panasonic(Japanese OEM). Also, read my post above on brightness. I wouldn't go any higher than stock 4100k for brightness. Even though Audis look more "purple". They run 4100k D2S bulbs. The reason why they look alittle more "purple" is because of the headlight housing. Cars equipt OEM with HIDs will always look better than any aftermarket kit because the headlight housings were made for HIDs. If you want the purple look, then go for a 6000k or higher bulb. But, they will lose brightness on the roadway.

Paul

 

David,
I have researched the hell out of HIDs and I decided not to get one. The first reason is that the ballast on some HID kits may not be waterproof. I would hate to install one for $500+ and it get fried by some moisture. The HID kit sees 20,000+ volts upon startup and I just don't have the confindence in these cheaper kits. The Bellofs have an auto shutdown feature if an over or under voltage situation is sensed. The cheap kits don't. I would hate to know I caught my 4Runner on fire just to have "cool blue" headlights. A couple of people that I have spoken with have said they read about several cases of fire in Japan involving cheaper knock off HID kits. Last but not least, they may not be legal where you live. I think I might have been able to get away with it here, but I would hate to go out of town and get a huge ticket for something that I didn't know about. I'd stear clear unless you can afford the Bellof kit. It is available here http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/ Later.

Matt

 

Cool I'm glad I could help. I pretty much have the same results. I'm waiting for some rain now too. That's one thing I miss about my TL, rain, fog, what ever it didn't matter with the HIDs.

 

My mom wasn't happy with the stock lights on her '03 Solara and wanted a whiter/bluer beam. Been doin' the research for 15 minutes (good enough for me). For all you Sylvania SilverStar purchasers, just curious as to how they compared to stock lights (brightness and color). I mostly care about if they're below stock capabilities. I just may get a pair on my 2nd gen.